Help needed to lay LI Civil Rights Warrior, 'A Force', to rest

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Services have been set for iconic Long Island civil rights leader Lucius Ware, but his family still needs help laying him to rest.

“The family of Lucius Ware invites you to join us in honoring his remarkable life and legacy.” a service announcement is read.

Viewing services for Lucius Ware, 91, who died Tuesday, will be held Friday, Oct. 4, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Brockett Funeral Home, located at 203 Hampton Road in Southampton.

Homecoming services will be held on Saturday, October 5th at 11am. at the Hamptons United Methodist Church, located at 160 Main Street in Southampton.

Ware, former president of the Long Island chapter of the NAACP, was a man who dedicated his life to the struggle for civil liberties and human rights. He was a pioneer, community leader and activist, a man of great faith and a fearless and tireless champion of the people he spent a lifetime defending.

And now, Ware needs help laying to rest the man who was a hero to many.

His daughter Leisha Ware initially created a GoFundMe, “Help Lucius Ware Spend Final Days At Home,” while trying to bring her father home for his final days.

“For over 50 years, my father dedicated his life to education, working as a teacher and shaping the minds of countless children. He was always a beacon of strength, kindness and love,” she said.

His family asked for help from “friends, community members and kind strangers.”

He added: “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, prayers and love during this incredibly difficult time.”

In 2017, the Southampton community came together to celebrate Ware's 84th birthday and celebrate Ware's legacy.

A party for Ware was held at the United Methodist Church in Southampton, where guests spoke from the heart about the impact he had on lives in the East End and the nation.

“Lou is in the community,” said Diane Rulnick of the Southampton Anti-Bias Task Force. “Yes, he's an activist, but he also makes people aware of the importance of values… 'democracy', with a small 'd'.”

According to Fred Havemeyer, “He's a dear friend, the best of the best. When it comes to being on the right side and doing the right thing, Lou is there, flags flying. And it's natural – it comes from within,” he said. “He was always a special person. He commands a presence – don't mock Lou if you're on the wrong side. But if you're on the right side, it'll go to hell for you, twice over.”

Charlotte Havemeyer, Fred's daughter, who grew up with Ware a strong presence in her life, agreed. “He's a force. He's an eloquent and intelligent force—a wise person.”

He reflected on the work Ware has done with civil rights movement veteran Bob Zellner. “Both are icons in their own worlds,” he said.

Ware's work at Southampton Town was profound, he said. “Nobody wanted to deal with creating diversity at City Hall when even women were minorities,” she said. “It was a difficult thing for him to open that conversation and say, 'We mean business,' but he did it, carefully and methodically. It takes a special person to be able to pull off something like that without backing down. People follow him. He's someone you want to follow”.

Ware has been instrumental in championing affirmative action in the city of Southampton and has rallied against institutionalized racism in the East End for decades.

Jim Banks, multicultural affairs co-ordinator at Suffolk County Community College, and also chairman of Southampton's anti-bias task force, spoke about Ware's legacy.

“On Long Island he was a pioneer,” Banks said. Banks said he was raised by his mother to believe in civil rights for all people. “He attracted me spiritually, that's why. I have his back. We support and believe in the same things.”

Ware, addressing the group gathered in the garden at the time, enjoying a summer buffet, talked about his son, who is learning to surf in Hawaii.

“You could see them from out there. Eventually, he would get a wave in and go inside. And then they would have to go back. They would be happy to come and get a little rest and go out again And they would do it again and again, and that's unfortunately the simple truth of civil rights and I applaud those who do that on a daily basis.”

To donate to GoFundMe, click here.